NHL (2021-2022) v. Congrats Avs. Jack Johnson is a Stanley Cup Champion.

[jammindude]

I watched that game live. I was almost 10.

Right? Me too! See? Just that memory alone should make you think twice. Legal doesn’t always mean “clean”.

[pg1067]

I absolutely HATE the old line, "keep your head up."

Is it a good idea to do so?  Of course.

Does having your head down make it not dirty for someone else to put a forearm to your skull or whack you with a stick?  Of course not.

[jingle.boy]

We know better nowadays... on so many things in life (not just hockey).  Hitters like Stevens could not exist in today's NHL.  He absolutely did hit with the intent to put someone out of the game.  When you end the career of multiple A-List superstars, I don't see how that can be considered a good thing.

[Snow Dog]

We know better nowadays... on so many things in life (not just hockey).  Hitters like Stevens could not exist in today's NHL.

Agree with both of these. Concussions weren’t well known about as much then as they are today. And a hitter like Stevens wouldn’t exist in today’s NHL given his style.  I’m not sure of his intent to injure players rather than just intimidate other teams and make them think twice about coming onto his side of the zone. But given the frequency and number of victims he’s made during his career, it’s easy to understand why people think that way.

And this is coming from a Devils fan who idolized Stevens as a teen.

FWIW, I think this hit is much worse than the Lindros one:
https://youtu.be/3sR-hjR0sms

[King Postwhore]

I loved how tough he was as well. Intimidation for sure but there always was a target to obliterate an apposing players and his aim was to hit up high.

[jingle.boy]

We know better nowadays... on so many things in life (not just hockey).  Hitters like Stevens could not exist in today's NHL.

Agree with both of these. Concussions weren’t well known about as much then as they are today. And a hitter like Stevens wouldn’t exist in today’s NHL given his style.  I’m not sure of his intent to injure players rather than just intimidate other teams and make them think twice about coming onto his side of the zone. But given the frequency and number of victims he’s made during his career, it’s easy to understand why people think that way.

And this is coming from a Devils fan who idolized Stevens as a teen.

FWIW, I think this hit is much worse than the Lindros one:
https://youtu.be/3sR-hjR0sms

I knew that was going to be the Kariya hit.  Given Stevens' history at that point in time in his career, nowadays that would be a lifetime ban!    hard to believe Kariya came back to score the goal that ultimately buried the Devils that game.  Too bad they couldn't complete the Game 7 win.

[pg1067]

We know better nowadays... on so many things in life (not just hockey).  Hitters like Stevens could not exist in today's NHL.

Agree with both of these. Concussions weren’t well known about as much then as they are today. And a hitter like Stevens wouldn’t exist in today’s NHL given his style.  I’m not sure of his intent to injure players rather than just intimidate other teams and make them think twice about coming onto his side of the zone. But given the frequency and number of victims he’s made during his career, it’s easy to understand why people think that way.

And this is coming from a Devils fan who idolized Stevens as a teen.

FWIW, I think this hit is much worse than the Lindros one:
https://youtu.be/3sR-hjR0sms

I knew that was going to be the Kariya hit.  Given Stevens' history at that point in time in his career, nowadays that would be a lifetime ban!    hard to believe Kariya came back to score the goal that ultimately buried the Devils that game.  Too bad they couldn't complete the Game 7 win.

That was pretty much the last time I rooted for the team from Anaheim.  Could not stand the '95-'03 Devils.  Giguere was a ridiculous witch that season.

[KevShmev]

   Could not stand the '95-'03 Devils. 

I can't say they were ever a team I find exciting to watch, but they did clown the Red Wings in the '95 Finals, so I have a little bit of a soft spot for them.

[pg1067]

   Could not stand the '95-'03 Devils. 

I can't say they were ever a team I find exciting to watch, but they did clown the Red Wings in the '95 Finals, so I have a little bit of a soft spot for them.

Fair.  I didn't yet dislike the Wings at that point.

[TheCountOfNYC]

Could not stand the '82-'22 Devils.

FTFM

[jingle.boy]

Damn that was a frustrating game to watch last night.  Some very sloppy play by the Leafs, blowing a fourth 2-goal lead in 5 games during this road trip.  2-2-1 might seem like a respectable showing, considering 4 of the opponents are top 11 in the league, but when one of those losses is to Phoenix, and all four other games have seen them blow a 2nd or 3rd period 2-goal lead, it's pretty frustrating.

Shersterkin was a brick wall after letting in the 3rd goal, and Campbell was ordinary.

[pg1067]

Could not stand the '82-'22 Devils.

FTFM

 

[TAC]

It's an every week ritual. The Bruins are on every Thursday night. To me, it's the perfect start to the weekend. So I sit down at 7 to pull the game up, and it's not on the Bruins' channel. Maybe it's national, they are playing the Caps after all.

Nope.  It's on ESPN+. 

NHL...FUCK YOU!

What the fuck? This TV deal fucking blows.

So my only chance of seeing any of the game is through Live Drop Ins on the NHL Network, except that Mike Fucking Rupp is on tonight. Fuck him too. He hates the Bruins, although he did say that if they played Toronto in the 1st Round, they'd win. At least Weeksie is on to offset him. He loves Boston.

[jammindude]

The only reason I’m not more upset is because E+ came as a free package deal with D+ and Hulu with my cell phone contract.

I know that it’s kind of bull crap because that’s exactly what they want you to do, but free bundle is free bundle. So I guess it is what it is.

[TAC]

Next year, I'm buying the Center Ice package.

[KevShmev]

Rough night for the Kraken last night. 

[TAC]

Rough night for the Kraken last night. 

Let me guess...they played the Blues?

[KevShmev]

Rough night for the Kraken last night. 

Let me guess...they played the Blues?

 

I knew you were smarter than you looked.

[jammindude]

I feel like we have a pretty tough schedule. Almost every time we play someone, all I hear are reports about how amazing the other team is and how difficult this is going to be.

I heard it last night with the Blues, and I’m hearing it more as we stare down the Panthers.

[TAC]

Clark Gilles RIP.

The Islanders of the early 80's were easily my favorite team.

I snapped this pic of Clark Gilles just under 2 years ago at the Nassau Coliseum. All of their greats were on hand for Butch Goring's number retirement. You can see Bob Nystrom behind him.







Oh, and today is Mike Bossy's birthday.

[King Postwhore]

Great picture Tim!

[TAC]

Jets and Bruins are playing a Big Boy game today.

[KevShmev]

I remember the Gilles name, as the Islanders were THE juggernaut when I was getting into hockey in the early 80s.

[SchecterShredder]

Sigh.... i have an inside source in the oilers org, and he said the Oilers are having a set of kane jerseys made. Deal expected to be announced as soon as the NHL makes an announcement vis a vis their investigation.  I truly despise this team sometimes.

[Anguyen92]

I mean they won the last two games against division rivals when they were at the low point.  I honestly do hope Evander Kane can sort his personal affairs out.

[jingle.boy]

Sigh.... i have an inside source in the oilers org, and he said the Oilers are having a set of kane jerseys made. Deal expected to be announced as soon as the NHL makes an announcement vis a vis their investigation.  I truly despise this team sometimes.

Dayum, dude.  Of all the issues that the Oilers have at the moment, I fail to see how Evander Kane can be a net positive for any of them.  The ONLY thing that might possibly make it palatable is if they sign him to a 1 or 2 year  league minimum.  Anything more, and it simply ain't worth the risk imo.

3-1 lead seems to be the Leafs' kryptonite.  Thankfully they squeaked it out in a SO.  They totally dominated the Ducks, who got Vezina-like goaltending out of Gibson, and gave the Ducks an own-goal.  Gonna chalk this up as another character builder!   

Boston... ffs.  I'm conflicted.  I'm really starting to hate Colorado for some reason (probably Gary rubbing off on me).  But, I still maintain my stance of ABB - Anyone But Boston.  For every other team's sake, I hope the Avs are peaking now, cuz they look like they're gonna steamroll.

[jingle.boy]

Lol Edmonton. $1M/ 1 year... but because it’s so far into the season, cap hit is $2M. 

[SchecterShredder]

Lol Edmonton. $1M/ 1 year... but because it’s so far into the season, cap hit is $2M. 

I thought it was prorated. I have not verified that anywhere, mind you

[Anguyen92]

Well, here's what it says on CapFriendly.  So I guess for players that signs a contract at the halfway point, it will get adjusted to what it could have been if it was signed before the season began?



Edit: Also, another note.  A solid Kings win against the Islanders today.  Quinton Byfield scored his 1st goal today.  Youngest guy since Drew Doughty in his 1st season to score a goal for the Kings and it was in Doughty's 1000th game.  It's all coming together piece by piece.

https://twitter.com/LAKings/status/1486860876095242240

[jingle.boy]

Lol Edmonton. $1M/ 1 year... but because it’s so far into the season, cap hit is $2M. 

I thought it was prorated. I have not verified that anywhere, mind you

Exactly.  Just not pro-rated the way you thought.   

[pg1067]

Edit: Also, another note.  A solid Kings win against the Islanders today.  Quinton Byfield scored his 1st goal today.  Youngest guy since Drew Doughty in his 1st season to score a goal for the Kings and it was in Doughty's 1000th game.  It's all coming together piece by piece.

https://twitter.com/LAKings/status/1486860876095242240

5 out of 6 points in the three NY/NJ games is very nice (although the last couple minutes of that Islanders game was sloppy).  Hope they keep it up in Pennsylvania over the weekend and Detroit on Tuesday before getting nearly two weeks off.  Over that break they're going to need to figure out how to beat Western Conference teams.  The Kings are 15-5-2 against the East but only 7-11-4 against the West and, after the break, 29 of their remaining 35 games will be against Western Conference teams.  At least Petersen's been looking a little better in his last few games.

[crazy climber dude]

14 wins by Colorado in January....most in that month by any team in NHL history. Good to see them starting to fulfill the expectations the pundits implied.

[Anguyen92]

14 wins by Colorado in January....most in that month by any team in NHL history. Good to see them starting to fulfill the expectations the pundits implied.

I mean I don't think it was ever in doubt that the Avs would make it to the playoffs.  The doubt is whether or not they can fulfill getting pass the 2nd round.  They are not yet at the levels of the Bolts or Golden Knights as contenders until the Avs make it to a conference finals in this current era.

[KevShmev]

Yep, we have heard this song and dance about the Avs the last two years, and both times they went home in the second round.  They are a paper champion in my book until they win a Cup.

[TAC]

It's getting to the point where the Avs of this era have to be considered huge underachievers. Have they even made a CF?